The Z Machine
Footballguy
Not sure it could get worse for Atlético, so LFG!Really hoping Real draw PSG or Chelsea so we can witness the meltdown.
Not sure it could get worse for Atlético, so LFG!Really hoping Real draw PSG or Chelsea so we can witness the meltdown.
I have no interest in seeing Lille. Real would be good but a repeat of last season. Ajax or Bayern for me.it can only get worse for CHelsea... Lille has been pretty awful this year.
LFC fans are already melting down, the assumption being whatever happens will benefit United and City. Which seems kinda dumb.
PSG, the leader in the clubhouse in terms of potential UEFA graft, can't be very happy about having to redraw and potentially losing United.
CL Draw:
Benfica v Real
Villarreal v Man City
Atletico v Bayern
Salzburg v Liverpool
Inter v Ajax
Sporting v Juventus
Chelsea v Lille
PSG v Man United
Silver lining there and with United I guess.Liverpool get Inter Milan
PSG get Real Madrid.
Re-draw:
Bayern-Salzburg
Man City-Sporting
Ajax-Benfica
Chelsea-Lille
Atletico-Man Utd
Villarreal-Juventus
Inter-Liverpool
PSG-Real Madrid
Even with their recent struggles, is Juve really a toss-up against Villareal (13th in La Liga)?Bayern
Man City
Ajax
Chelsea
All through.
Liverpool - likely through
Toss-ups:
Atletico
Juventus
Real Madrid
I think Inter is a really dangerous bunch.Silver lining there and with United I guess.
Liverpool got hosed -- Inter a step up in weight class from Salzburg.
And City get a bye into the quarters.
So how does this work - does Abramovich have to pay for Lille twice?
Really hoping Real draw PSG or Chelsea so we can witness the meltdown.
Geez, I guess I stand corrected even though I don't understand it.Chances of advancing to Quarters, per 538 (usually won't differ much from oddsmakers):
- Man. City 87%
- Bayern Munich 83%
- Chelsea 82%
- Ajax 75%
- Liverpool 68%
- Atlético Madrid 59%
- Real Madrid 54%
- Juventus 53%
- Villarreal 47%
- PSG 46%
- Man. United 41%
- Inter Milan 32%
- Benfica 25%
- Lille 18%
- RB Salzburg 17%
- Sporting 13%
Yep. Top of the table in Italy, +28 GD with 43 goals scored through 17, quality players. Hate this for Liverpool and similarly don't see them as favored as above even though I still think they are more likely to get through.I think Inter is a really dangerous bunch.
Geez, I guess I stand corrected even though I don't understand it.
Juve is still a giant club and still 6th in Serie A and still have some top quality players and finished with 15 points, winning their group with Chelsea in it. Villareal finished with 10 points and only 3 wins, having to win their last match, and sit 13th in La Liga. They also don't have the kind of depth that Juve does.
What am I missing that makes this matchup so close?
Even with their recent struggles, is Juve really a toss-up against Villareal (13th in La Liga)?
Geez, I guess I stand corrected even though I don't understand it.
Juventus 53%
Villarreal 47%
I’d say that’s a toss-up
FWIW, IMO there are three truly elite teams right now -- City, Bayern and Liverpool. Those three would be solid favorites against everyone except each other. And maybe Ajax/Chelsea, depending on how you define "solid".Yep. Top of the table in Italy, +28 GD with 43 goals scored through 17, quality players. Hate this for Liverpool and similarly don't see them as favored as above even though I still think they are more likely to get through.
And brilliantly managedYep. Top of the table in Italy, +28 GD with 43 goals scored through 17, quality players.
Re-draw:
Bayern-Salzburg
Man City-Sporting
Ajax-Benfica
Chelsea-Lille
Atletico-Man Utd
Villarreal-Juventus
Inter-Liverpool
PSG-Real Madrid
I haven't seen them play this season, but RM seem to be running away things. maybe likely due more to the other squads falling off this year, but still I squad I wouldn't want to face. love them vs PSG... who has looked a hot mess to me when I've seen them- totally average everywhere...except of course those horses up front who continuously pull out results when the game didn't necessarily lean that way.FWIW, IMO there are three truly elite teams right now -- City, Bayern and Liverpool. Those three would be solid favorites against everyone except each other. And maybe Ajax/Chelsea, depending on how you define "solid".
But going from ~82% vs Salzburg to ~68% vs Inter really sucks -- it doubles the chances they get knocked out in the R16.
It does provide the possibility of some history though for US fans. Should a minor miracle happen with Weah and Pulisic both healthy at the same time, this has a chance to be the first ever yank vs yank in a UCL knock out round game.I have no interest in seeing Lille.
I don't watch them, but feel like I've seen BM going down early goals in their bundie games... and then winning. anybody know more? when I've seen them in CL, they're lights out. wondering if there's a ***** in their armor for RBS to exploit.
They also score for fun. 47 in 15.Short answer is no. Bayern gets bored in league play is the easiest and likely accurate answer for any struggles they have there. That one shouldn't be close, IMO.
Nah, they're pretty evenly matched, IMO.I really think that Juve-Villareal match could be a toss-up - what do you guys think?
Atlético are playing like dog #### right now, so I can't argue with going for United here. It used to be that Atleti was a bear to score on, but their defense has been poor all season long, regardless of personnel or formation.My picks - homer pick for United but maybe by the time they play Rag will have them looking better. Assuming the "favorites" win that's some great quarterfinal match-ups that would be possible.
I really think that Juve-Villareal match could be a toss-up - what do you guys think?
Atlético are playing like dog #### right now, so I can't argue with going for United here. It used to be that Atleti was a bear to score on, but their defense has been poor all season long, regardless of personnel or formation.
I don't watch them, but feel like I've seen BM going down early goals in their bundie games... and then winning. anybody know more? when I've seen them in CL, they're lights out. wondering if there's a ***** in their armor for RBS to exploit.
I was always amazed at how good his balance was and how little of a windup he needed to get off a hard shot.Sergio Aguero will be officially retiring today due to the heart problem. :(
Thanks for the memories!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tRPedhVKgQ
They would be happy to beat him too....AAABatteries said:United aren't far behind - they've played slightly better since Ole was sacked but it's a big work in progress. I expect it to get somewhat worse before it gets better so who knows. I do think United are more talented but are in such a state of chaos that's it's almost impossible to figure out what you'll get. And I'm sure Atletico would be more than happy to knock Ronaldo out.
Sometimes it seems like they need be behind just to get them motivated.AAABatteries said:Short answer is no. Bayern gets bored in league play is the easiest and likely accurate answer for any struggles they have there. That one shouldn't be close, IMO.